If you already know why the hero of the good-natured '80s pop-metal musical "Rock of Ages" is just a city boy "born and raised in South Detroit," and the object of his affection is a small-town girl named (Oh!) Sherrie, then this silly return to the decade we'll always (try to) remember is for you.

If not, well, then, "Les Misérables" is coming back in August.

This musical does not take itself at all seriously, thank goodness. If its tongue were planted any more deeply in cheek, in fact, it would have to be set all the way back in the '50s. A night of deep thinking and heavy-issue contemplation, this is not.

It is instead a fun night for anyone born after say, 1955, to wail along to loud, head-banging anthems from the likes of Poison, Bon Jovi and Twisted Sister. The kind that made those of us who preferred The Replacements — or heck, even U2 or Paul Simon — to bang our heads against the wall.

But time has both a mellowing and whitewashing effect, which helps make "Rock of Ages" a night of pure nostalgia for all of us who survived the decade of Survivor. A chance to scream out at the mere mention of wine coolers, Tuxedo T-shirts and body shots. To wave both arms and fake cigarette lighters (they come with your ticket). To snicker at an endless parade of Madonna costumes, studded jackets and big hair (some of which is even real!).

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Seriously, it's too bad the name "Hairspray" was already taken.

"Rock of Ages" is a jukebox musical — meaning it's born into that cynical and lazy Broadway trend of cobbling a banal story around existing pop hits. But this one is anything but cynical or lazy. There is a bona fide story (and a kind of witty one at that) told by a Puck-like narrator Lonny (Patrick Lewallen) who's constantly reminding us this is just a lark, people.

The plot grows out of the lyrics to Journey's ubiquitous "Don't Stop Believing," that skull-splitting ballad that sustains both my migraine, and karaoke as an industry, to this day. But while "Rock of Ages" is sold as "an arena concert experience," it's really a fairly traditional Broadway musical that takes you back to 1987 on Hollywood's seedy Sunset Strip — emphasis on "strip."

In the meantime, the iconic rock club of the day has been condemned by eminent domain, but a tree-hugging hippie chick (Casey Tuma) is determined to thwart the German developers.

Revues of this type are often insulting for the obvious way they string dialogue together merely to justify the next song. These writers have great, winking fun with that, telegraphing tunes like "We're Not Gonna Take It" as a response to the developers, and "Final Countdown" as a demolition device. But it's surprising how well pop ballads like Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is" and Extreme's "More than Words" would play in any contemporary stage musical.

The biggest cheers (and laughs) of the night come after REO Speedwagon's "I Can't Fight This Feeling," but you're just going to have to see it to find out why.

Though I hated most of this music then, and still do, "Rock of Ages" is both a blast from the past — and it's a blast. Try as I might, I can't fight this feeling anymore.

Advisory: Recommended for ages 14 and over. Some of the costumes, dancing and language may not be appropriate for children. Some scenes take place in a strip club. (And the music is loud, much like a rock concert.)

Weekend Best bet: Su Teatro's "Chicanos Sing the Blues"

What happens at the intersection of Big Mama Thornton and Lydia Mendoza? Su Teatro's newest original work, "Chicanos Sing the Blues." The blues don't know your back story. The late poet Gil Scott-Heron said, "There are at least 500 shades of the blues," so, composer Daniel Valdez figures, one of them must be brown. His new musical chronicles a fictitious Chicano blues man who finds himself at a crossroads. The blues tradition is textured here by the rhythms of the Chicano experience: corridos, rancheras, huapangos, doo wop and Motown. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; also 3 p.m. June 26 at Su Teatro's Denver Civic Theatre, 721 Santa Fe Drive, 303-296-0219 or suteatro.org.

This weekend's other theater openings

"Annie Get Your Gun" Classic Wild West musical about a backwoods gal with a sure shot and quick wit, and she's aiming to be the star of Buffalo Bill's traveling show. Irving Berlin score includes "There's No Business Like Show Business," Through Aug. 27. Carousel Dinner Theatre, 3750 S. Mason St., Fort Collins, 970-225-2555 or adinnertheatre.com

"The Awakening of Angel DeLuna" This new musical, set in the circus world during the Depression, follows a new hobo who seeks to capture the heart of a fallen trapeze star. Appropriate for all ages. Through July 10. Presented by Angel Wings NYC at the Dairy Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, 303-494-5633 or angeldeluna.com

"Dames at Sea" Classic musical about sweet little Ruby, who has come from far away to make it big on Broadway — and she does. Through July 22. Presented by Little Theatre of the Rockies at the Norton Theatre on the University of Northern Colorado campus, Greeley, 970-351-2200 arts.unco.edu/ltr

"The Divine Sister" This outrageous comic homage to nearly every Hollywood film involving nuns is the latest offering from noted dramatist and female impersonator Charles Busch ("Die, Mommie, Die!"). Through July 30. The Avenue Theater, 417 E. 17th Ave., 303-321-5925 or avenuetheater.com

"Henry the IV, Part 1" and "As You Like It," Shakespeare in repertory: In the former, Henry IV has just been crowned king, but his hold on the office is tenuous at best and rebellion is imminent. In the latter, plucky Rosalind is banished from court and escapes to the forest of Arden in search of her outlaw father. Instead, she falls in love. Through July 3. Jones Theatre, 119 Main St., Westcliffe, 719-783-3004 or jonestheater.com

"The Life and Times of Ol' Alfred" This story of an African-American family is told through the eyes of its patriarch, Alfred, from his birth into slavery to his death at age 96. A true story written by Jon Ian Sayles, son of Shadow Theatre artistic director Hugo Jon Sayles, who plays Alfred. Through Sunday. Presented by Shadow Theatre at Su Teatro's Denver Civic Theatre, 721 Santa Fe Drive, 720-857-8000 or shadowtheatre.com

"The Trip to Bountiful" Horton Foote's poignant tale of an aging widow living with her son in Houston but who dreams of returning to her old home in the town of Bountiful. Through July 2. Thunder River, 67 Promenade, Carbondale, 970-963-8200 or thunderrivertheatre.com

The Running Lines blog

Video podcast: Coloradans on New York stages

All this month, we will be posting video podcasts with John Moore and Colorado actors gainfully working on New York stages, including Elizabeth Welch, Gene Gillette, Laura Tesman, Josh Franklin, Rachel de Benedet, Joshua Buscher, Jenny Fellner, Gavin Lodge, Alena Watters and Victoria Matlock. Here's the most recent episode:

Lockheed says object part of 'sensor technology' testing that ended ThursdayWhat the heck is that thing? It's fair to assume that question was on the minds of many people who traveled along Colo. 128 south of Boulder this week if they happened to catch a glimpse of what appeared to be a large, silver projectile perched alongside the highway and pointed north toward town.

PARIS (AP) — Bye, New York! Ciao, Milan! Bonjour, Paris! The world's largest traveling circus of fashion editors, models, buyers and journalists has descended on the French capital, clutching their metro maps and city guides, to cap the ready-to-wear fashion season. Full Story